Netherlands → South Korea

Microchip for every dog and cat, any age. ISO 11784/11785; with any other chip, bring your own reader (or a new chip is implanted). The number must be on the health certificate.

Rabies neutralising antibody test, FAVN or RFFIT, result at least 0.5 IU/ml, done by an internationally approved laboratory (APQA points to the EU and Taiwan lists) or by the exporting country's government. The blood sample must be taken within 24 months before arrival. No minimum wait after the sample. Results from Korea's four recognised labs (original report) are also accepted.

Health certificate issued by the government veterinary authority of the exporting country, stating the microchip number, the date of birth, the blood sampling date, the laboratory and the antibody result in IU/ml (the lab or government titer report may be submitted separately instead), that the animal is healthy and cannot spread contagious animal diseases, the issuing agency, date, name and signature of the issuer. Original (or an e-certificate accepted by APQA), issued before the pet leaves; a certificate not in Korean or English may need a certified translation.

Instead of the certificate: an EU pet passport issued in an EU member state — only when the pet departs from an EU member state. The chip number and the antibody result must be in it (or bring the lab's original report) — our reading.

Mark quarantine items on the customs declaration on board. After landing, before passing customs, take the pet and the certificate to the APQA animal quarantine counter (Incheon: next to baggage carousels). Document check, chip check and clinical examination; if all is in order the officer stamps the customs declaration and the pet is released.

Only when importing 10 or more dogs and cats at once (unweaned young with their mother excluded): notify APQA in advance and get approval to use an animal quarantine facility. Up to 9 need no notification. The deadline is set by APQA notice and was not found — ask APQA.